DOUGLASVILLE, GA – Plans for a joyous weekend celebration turned tragic in Douglasville, where a woman was gunned down outside her home just ahead of her birthday and the much-anticipated reopening of her barbershop, officials said.
Officers responded around 9:30 p.m. to the residence on Littlebrook Way, about 20 miles west of Atlanta, after reports of a domestic dispute. Investigators say Sabrina Walker, 56, fled her home during an argument with her husband, but was pursued outside and shot.
When police arrived, they found Sabrina Walker on the ground outside the home. Her husband, 51-year-old Volanta Lejuan Walker, was still at the scene and armed, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Officers directed him to drop his weapon, but he reportedly pointed the gun toward police.
An officer discharged his weapon, striking Volanta Walker, officials stated. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sabrina Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has launched an inquiry into the shooting death as well as the officer-involved shooting. At this time, no formal murder charges have been filed against Volanta Walker. Once the investigation is complete, the agency will submit its findings to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Family members described Sabrina Walker as a dedicated business owner and beloved mother. She had operated her barbershop, Groomsmen Atlanta, since 2009, and had recently invested in renovations and expansions. The grand reopening was planned to coincide with her birthday.
Despite the tragedy, relatives went ahead with the barbershop’s opening in her memory. They said the event was bittersweet, marked by the absence of the woman whose entrepreneurial spirit and energy had defined the business.
Walker’s daughters remembered her as a constant presence, known for her warmth and enthusiasm. They expressed determination to honor her legacy by continuing the work she devoted herself to for over a decade.
Authorities remain on the scene collecting evidence and speaking with neighbors as they work to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting. The investigation into both the domestic and officer-involved shootings remains ongoing.